75.2k views
5 votes
What are the coordinates of the terminal point corresponding to = –120? Use the Pythagorean theorem to prove that this point lies on the unit circle?

User JohanTG
by
7.5k points

1 Answer

5 votes
we know that
the unit circle has a radius equals 1 unit

-120°------> is an angle belong to the III quadrant
so
the x and y coordinates will be negative
x=r*cos ∅
y=r*sin ∅
where
r=1
and
∅=180-120-----> ∅=60°

therefore
x=(1)*cos 60°-----> x=1/2-----> x=-1/2 (remember x is negative)
y=(1)*sin 60°-----> y=√3/2-----> y=-√3/2 (remember y is negative

let's apply the Pythagorean theorem
x²+y²-----> (-1/2)²+(-√3/2)²----> (1/4)+(3/4)-----> 1----> is ok because 1 is the radius of the unit circle

the answer is
the coordinates of the terminal point are (-1/2,-√3/2)


User Darshak
by
8.1k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories